Here in Maine, driving less is not an answer. The closest gas station to me is now $3.59 a gal for regular and the closest store is 16 miles away. I love living out in the woods, but it does have its draw backs. I drive 42 miles each way to work and that really adds up fast at todays prices. I still would not move into the city. Just have to find other ways to save. We now try to combine trips as much as possible, stop for groceries on the way home from work etc. Even the coal dealers have started charging for delivery now. Can't say I blame them though, they can't make a profit at these fuel prices with out charging. Use to be if you ordered over a certain amount they would delive for free. I will always burn coal in the winter, but we have now started cutting up down wood for those early fall and late spring nights to take the chill off. Saving the coal for the steady burning season.

I got my class III licence at the old Trevose state police barracks in 1987. Back then diesel fuel was .30 cents cheaper than regular gas. (remember regular gas) Then about 15 years ago the (I hate to get political on you all) the government decided that we all have to use a new invention called lsd. (No you stupid hippie it's not acid) it's low sulfur diesel. amazingly diesel became a little more expensive than gas. I don't know why but early last year diesel suddenly became .80 cents more than gas. I wonder if the government in it's infinate wisdom decided that we need to now use ultra low sulfur diesel has anything to do with it? Last thursday I put 141.026 gals in my truck I (my company) paid $602.04 for it!!!! At my job I see trainloads of ethanol all day long go by. This year the U.S. stopped exporting corn and wheat. we are burning all of our food in our cars!!!! People all over the Third world are now beginning to riot in the streets because of food shortages. Those of you fine ladies and gentlemen who met my wife and I last year at the Coal berners and beer fest in Pottsville Know that I Have an asian wife. In the Philippines there are shortages of rice and other staples. The price has gone from 19.00 per kilogram to 37.50 I am all to happy to subsidise my inlaws, however I cannot feed the world. Over there 2 years ago people could not afford to buy rice now the threat of starvation is very real.I have been there many times and it's just like on the tv commercials with the little girl. Hunger is becoming a major problem. As beef, milk, pork,chicken, cereal, and yes even beer go up, we can afford it they cannot! Other crops are getting more expensive due to farmers planting corn instead of soybeans wheat or hay.All this is is because the government makes us burn our food due to the great hoax called global warming. P.S what are all of the tree huggers going to do when they find out That we are cutting down the rain forrest to make way for corn production.

Sorry that you have relatives that are feeling real pain because of the increase ethanol demand and the resultant increase in world food prices. It's not all as bleak as it appears. There is lots of research going on all over the world, in private and government laboratories to find much more efficient ways to produce petroleum products. One of the more promising ones is described here: http://www.valcent.net/s/Ecotech.asp?ReportID=182039This link is broken, either the page no longer exists or there is some other issue like a typo.

Using traditional food products to make petroleum products is just stupid. The scientists and engineers know it, but the politicians are tied to policies that their lobby groups, farmers and big oil support. Lets hope the next President has better sense and can put the USA on the path to true energy independence.

If you believe global warming is a myth you are of the opposite belief of the World Meteorological Organization (WHO). There are 188 member counties with the common goal of making meteorological, climatological, hydrological and geophysical observations. All agree there is global warming. Surely you don't believe the measurement of world temperatures by tens of thousands of scientists from hundreds of countries that shows an increasing global temperature could be a myth. As I said before global warming is real. The IPCC report states, "Warming of the climate system is unequivocal." What is open for debate is how much of the warming occurs because of human activity. What the general public hears is the message put out by the groups that have their own vested interest to promote.

I believe even the politicians will come around to the science and technology views. No politician wants to be blamed when the lights go out or much worse when people are starving. Be sure to visit the Valcent web site and view the video. It will give you some hope.